Unsure

18 April 2006
"It's done with in Penza. I have officially seen my friends in Penza for the last time (as a missionary). I am going to miss everyone, but at least I have a calm feeling. I have been busy reading and trying to keep myself busy to keep my mind off of what will be in the next couple of days. Right now we are on the train to Samara and will be there tomorrow morning. I have a really weird feeling of unsureness. I know that all will be alright though and will work out. So today we didn't do a whole lot, but did sleep a lot and we got a bunch of pictures developed. We ate with Boster and Olsen in Трио Пицца for one last time. Like I said I slept a bit and got my last things together. We stopped by quickly to see Раиса and then tonight we went to see Вася and his family. I was at my last meeting, and I can't believe it is almost over. Like I said though, I feel peaceful as though everything will be okay. I know that the Lord will help me as I make thing big change back to life again."

Last P-day

12 April 2006
"Today was a pretty sweet p-day and it was my last one! I can't believe it. I was in a bad mood this morning and so that was no good. One of the main reasons is because the family didn't say a word about me coming home and so I felt really crappy. Just it was weird and right now I have all kinds of feelings that I just can't express and I am very emotional. After we wrote home we went to a few disc stores and that was pretty cool. I bought several discs and got what I wanted. We grabbed some трио Пицца and that was good as always. We came home and I grabbed a few zzz's as I was a bit out of it. I then got my discs all organized and that was way nice. We took off to take some pictures and so now I have several. We had English tonight and that was good. It was my last English night and so that is a little sad. Well, we looked at an apartment for the sisters and found one, and so that is good. Now we are home."

Theater

7 April 2006
"Today was a decent day. We had a good time contacting, so that was cool. We got into it fairly well. So then we came home and ate before we had our planning time. That was alright, but it was really hard to focus. It was my last planning session, but all the same we got it done and it went pretty well. We had some extra time so we relaxed and I took a short nap. So today we had culture night that was pretty fun. We went to the theatre and watched a play called "Moscow Spring Break." It was cool and we enjoyed it. We went and ate pizza afterwards that was pretty good but I realized that I don't have much of an appetite anymore. I want to eat but I don't care what we eat. Just need to put something in there, but it doesn't matter what. This morning my comp and I discussed an interesting topic of about how we can become Gods. We read a talk about this from Joseph Smith - the King Follet Discourse. We talked a lot about it, and it was pretty crazy. I don't know how to comprehend it but is is a crazy topic that isn't very clear so we need to be careful with it. Right now I am pretty tired and want to sleep a little bit. Here's for another day!"

Fool's Day

1 April 2006
"April Fools Day, and no good jokes. There was nothing really that happened that was way funny. We joked around of course with people but no one fell for it. We then had the interview for Владик this morning and all went well. He is ready for baptism and he is excited. So, we then went with the other elders to Трио Пицца - Elder Paulsen was here and so it was cool to see him. We chatted for awhile before setting up a contract for a new apartment for the other elders. We are finally going to have a 2-some again. Well, we then came home and we found out Max that can't go on a mini-mission and that no one has told him yet. Well, we then went to собрание миссионеров and that went alright. There were several people there, and all seems to be going well. We then went off to sports which wasn't as good as usual. It was alright, but just boring as we played only volleyball and soccer. So, we came home and now I am ready to sleep. Things are hard right now. I am worrying way too much about Владик's baptism and I just need to not think about it. Владик is doing well and I think he will be a great member. We are fasting for him and for his baptism so that all went well that way."

Talking

29 March 2006
"It was another quick p-day. It was not nearly as boring as usual, but we still had plenty of time to sleep. This morning we didn't do a whole lot but we got this place cleaned up and so things are a lot nice here. We then went out to write home, and all seems to be going well for them. I can't believe that I only have a couple more times to write home. We then went to the branch apartment and watched the concerts that we put on here in Penza. It was alright and we ate pizza. We went and checked out some cds that I bought a few of. We walked around for a bit before we came back here to sleep. Tonight we went to English and had a good time there. We had several student there, and so that was way cool. I enjoy teaching English and I will miss it. We then went and did home teaching with Гладков at the Мизюркины's and that went well. Гладков loves to talk and we talked about free agency. It went well and it helped them a lot. Well, another day ahead of us. It should be a good one."

Spins

23 March 2006
"Today was a good one. We had a lot going and did a lot (That makes no sense what I wrote there). So this morning we went out and contacted and that went pretty well. We talked with several people and then we came home and grabbed a bite to eat. We then ran off to a meeting with Мизюркины that went fairly well. Ирина was with us so that was cool. After that, we stopped by to see Наташа Фаюстова and she is doing well. We invited her to come Sunday. So then we went to see Анатолий and we talked with him about receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood and he wants to got to the temple. We came home and chilled before we went to the scripture study class and youth night. It was a lot of fun and we had a good time playing. We are now sitting home and waiting for pizza. Tomorrow we are going to Saratov. So, I am having a hard time concentrating each morning as my stomach just spins. It is hard, but I am trying."

Boring

15 March 2006
"Another p-day of dwindling and perishing in unbelief. Well, we didn't have a ton of fun today but I am in a really good mood. So we went to write home this morning and the family seems to be doing pretty well. Not much news other than that. We went and bought several things for the coming week and we should live. We chilled at home for a bit before going to grab a bite to eat at the local трио пицца. That was good and we were walking around when we decided to just come home. We worked on nothing for a couple of hours. I solved the rubix cube and triangle cube so many times and it was crazy. I was super bored and p-days are not the most exciting. Tonight was English and then seminary. That was pretty cool and we had a good time. We had a good time chatting with everyone and I loved it. Well, we then came home and now we are getting ready to leave to Samara. I love being here and to serve the Lord this is truly his work!"

Sane

13 March 2006
"Today was a pretty cool day. We had a good time contacting this morning and talked with a lot of people. We even talked with a guy who was going to get us the phone number of another American here in the city. We headed to the branch apartment for district meeting tonight and we had a decent time there. We have good missionaries and I am really glad to be working with them. Well, we had pizza on tortillas and it was pretty good. I chatted with Elder Schwab for awhile about the work and our missionaries here, and i love to talk with him We then went to see Баба Нина and she is doing well. I love her to death, and it is great to be working with her. We then went to see Шавкат and we had a good time with him. He talked a lot about his family and about the problems that he has . We came home, and now we are chilling . Today was a sweet day and I feel good about being a missionary. I love the work a ton. I talked a ton with Маша и Люда today and they are doing well. They are keeping me sane I think - all the youth that is. I love them to death and what a joy to serve here."

Fun One

1 March 2006
"Today was a pretty good p-day. This morning we headed off to Gene's place where we had some practice of the songs that they will be singing at the concert next Tuesday evening. It should go alright, but they have a lot of work to do. We then went and wrote home where things seem to be going fairly well. My brother is having a good time and quite a bit of success. Well, we took quite a few pictures and then we stopped by to Вокзал where we bought tickets for missionaries that are leaving. I found out that Elder Christensen is going to be serving here, and I am way excited about that. He is way funny, and full of energy. I was glad to hear that he will be coming here. Well, we ate at Трио Пицца after which we took a few more pictures and then went to "help" Маша и Аня. We went to English which was actually a lot of fun, and I had a good time there. I was with Elder Theurer and that was fun. We came home and now we are having a good time. I am ready to sleep."

Slow

22 February 2006
"Today was pretty sweet day, and we didn't really do anything. We kind of just took it easy. This morning, we cleaned up the apartment and got things in order around here. We took off and wrote home where things are going as usual. My sister is moving back home for a bit, and BJ is working well. We wrote home and all went well that way, and then we took off and bought our food for the next week or so. We went to the branch apartment where my come helped Маша with her computer, and I worked on cleaning the joint up a little bit. It was really bad there, but it is a lot better. Well, then we ate at Трио Пицца and they had the Olympics on (cross country skiing) and we glanced every now and then. It was way sweet and I love the Olympics. After that we stopped into a book store and did a lot of looking around. It was cool and then we had English. We ended the night that way, and it should be a good one tomorrow. I feel a bit better today, and hopefully my headache will disappear once we start to work again."

Tired

17 February 2006
"Today was sure a long day. I can't believe how tired I am. We woke up bright and early this morning – 5 – and took off to Engels. So, we had a nice 4 ½ hour ride and it was fun. We got there basically at 10 and so conference immediately started when we got there, and all went well that way. I have to say that conference was good, but it was super long. There was a ton of trainings and it went a little long, but in the end it was all good. We had pizza for lunch and that was cool. We talked about planning and how we need to use time better. After conference I typed a talk in Russian that Elder Kotov helped me with. After that I saw a ton of people that I knew. Аня from Engels was there and somehow she remembered me. I also saw another girl that we were trying to teach. It was awesome. Not only that but then I saw Сестра Gugelskaya and that was awesome. She is a way awesome sister. Basically, it was awesome to see all these people. We finally left at 7 and we drove for about 4 ½ hours so got home about 12. I am going to die I am so tired. Tomorrow will be a quick one."

Fasting

4 February 2006
"Talk about another sweet day - that is what we had today. This morning we were once again with the APs on splits. Things didn't seem like they were going to well but then 2 meetings worked out for us. One was for Elder Schwab and I, and we went to help Баба Нина told me over the phone that she didn't want to come to church anymore, and that she would not tell why. Well, Elder Schwab is a great elder and so he bore testimony to her of the truth, and the spirit was very strong. She committed to try to activity no matter how hard it was going to be. It was away awesome. Well, we then went and ate at Трио Пицца and that was really tasty. We ran to our house and then to change comps back. I fell on the meeting with Гарик (meeting 2), and that went fairly well. We thought we should have a meeting at 2 but the contact didn't show up. We went to the store, and then came home before we went to собрание миссионеров. That went decent before we went to sport. Well, we switched comps and Elder Anand went with me while Elder Steiner translated an audit. Sports was good, and there was a ton of people there again. I am dead, and I started fasting at 6 for Владик. It is hard, but it is sure worth it. Fasting brings great blessings."

Work Harder

6 January 2006
"We are back in Penza after a great conference in Saratov. We had a way awesome time there learning about all of the different qualities of Jesus Christ which we want to have in ourselves. Elder Steiner and I taught милосердие и усердие (charity and diligence). It was cool to be up in front of everyone and to teach them. The missionaries right now seem to be less worried about the work than earlier. They don't speak in Russian hardly ever although I try to always speak it - its a mission rule. The mission has changed a lot since I came, and the missionaries seem less focused. Maybe it is just because they are so young.

For lunch we had pizza from Papa John's which is always a booster. We enjoyed all of conference, and then we stayed after for interviews. President said to me that to fix problems we need to read Preach My Gospel more, and the white hand book. He said also that a church building here in Penza depends more on the faith then on the numbers. President is a very inspired man, and I am grateful to be serving under him. On the way home, we talked a little about getting our calling on a mission. I remember how happy I was, and touched by the spirit when I opened my call. I had one month to prepare to serve the Lord. What an amazing things to have opened that calling, and to now be here on my mission. The lord knows us and our needs."

Weird

1 December 2005
"We ran all over the place today. It was sure crazy, but it was good too because it meant that we were busy and had a lot of meetings. This morning, we met with Раиса and she is doing well. She is fairly sick, but at least she is happy as usual. She can't give up smoking, and we are unsure how to help. We were there for a long time, and we finally left to another meeting.

We met with another guy named Димитрий that is interested mainly just in English. It is fairly pointless to meet with him as he doesn't really want to get baptized. We are trying to help him, but he still doesn't want to give up his religion. We talked about baptism and about how it is important. He said he would think about it - and that is all.

We then ran to a meeting with a guy named Виктор. He is an interesting old fellow who also smokes plenty. He only has one lung, but he smokes anyways. Well, we talked about the Book of Mormon, and he said that it is true, but doesn't need to pray about it - for that he didn't know how to pray also. He kicked us out because he didn't feel good. Talk about weird meetings.

We then stopped to вокзал to buy some tickets, and then finally had some time to eat. We went to Трио Пицца and ate as we had no energy to make anything. We ended the night at молодежный вечер which was actually set aside for a missionary and his parents. It was fun, and nice to talk with people. I love the youth here, and I love to be able to work with them. They are a great help to us. I love it."

No Experience

23 November 2005
"Another p-day drifting away. Like I said last time, I am not a big fan of the p-days here. I have not time to work with people. We are doing our stuff all day, and then we have English and studying hymns.

So this morning, I couldn't really concentrate, and then we finally took off to the Internet place. There wasn't much for me there. Well, I wrote a bunch and that was cool. I sat around and waited for Steiner for a few minutes and then we all went to a big grocery store and bought stuff for Thanksgiving tomorrow. We only spent about 1500 rubles ($50) which is awesome for 6 of us. Well, we brought the crap home and we prepared several things for the big feast. We ordered pizza and then slept for about 30 minutes before taking off to English lesson which was pretty boring other then the fact that we chatted with all.

So Elder Steiner and I talked a lot about how things are. We realized that we don't know how to baptize someone as neither of us have had such an experience. We talked about how we need to work. I have a strong desire to work and to serve the Lord, and I know that he is giving me what I need to fulfill my calling. The Lord blesses those whom he calls!"

Weird and Excellent Day

22 November 2005
"What a sweet day. This is what we call missionary work!! We had all kinds of meetings on the street, meetings with members and also in the presence of members. Not only that, we talked with a guy who believes everything but won't give us his religion, we talked with a guy who told us that we were going to hell, and we watched, as we taught a lesson, a little kid peeing into a bucket. For all that though, we taught a ton of lessons.

Elder Тайр and I left and contacted this morning, and talked with a lot of people who wanted to talk. It was one of the best days yet. We used the golden questions like were were suppose to, and it turned out way good. Well, we decided to eat some Трио Пицца as that was the best, and easiest way to go. It is like the American stuff, and it is way good.

We then had a meeting with Димитрий and he told us that he more wants us to just meet and he can't give up his faith. He doesn't understand. Well, we then went to see a less active lady, and that was way cool. She enjoyed the opportunity to meet with us, but can't come to church (инвалидка).

We then headed out to see Шавкат, and that was fun. The little one pooped in a pot while the Mom held him, and then during the closing prayer he peed all over the floor. Talk about an adventure. We did meet their neighbor and did the 1st lesson with her. It went way good. Elder Тайр said it was one of his best days on his mission. I love to serve!"

Good advice and food

18 November 2005
"Today was a pretty sweet day. We had a nice long time in the gazelle. We were in Engels for a Zone Conference and that was cool. It has been a long time since I was there, and I had a lot of memories come back. It was a good 2 months there, and I love to serve there. Victor - a guy that we contacted there - got baptized last Saturday, and that was way cool.

Conference today was a good one, and we talked a lot about крещение (baptism). That was way good and we learned a lot about how we can work a lot more effectively to prepare people for this important step in life. We have several investigators, but we don't know who is ready for baptism. We need to work with them and to help them a ton. I am excited to be able to have so much work.

We had Papa John's for lunch and that was way good. On the way home from Engels we stopped into Saratov and got ourselves some Шарума. It was way good, and it has been a long time since I have had such tasty food. On the way home, we talked forever and told a lot of jokes. It was a lot of fun, and we were all super tired. It was a nice long ride home, but we made it.

President gave me some good advice. He said that I should set a goal that I am striving for while I am here. I need to make a difference during my service here. It is something that I will be attempting to do, and I will have to think of what goal I want to set."

Wife Training

25 August 2005
Too much drama - that's all I can say about sisters. They just talk, and cry, and love and just do it all. And by the way - when you got 5 sisters in the office then things go crazy. They just love each other and hate things all at the same time. Well that is the story of my day. Well, I called Kirk this morning because Sister Петунц didn't know that President was sending her home Tuesday. Kirk called President and we decided to tell her in the office. Well we went to service but they had nothing. That was the last that I saw of Sister Gorlova. We went with the Ehlerts to eat at a pizza place that turned out to be decent. On the way home Elder Kirk sent me a SMS and said that I had to call Sister Petoontz and tell her myself. Well that was kind of dumb - I think that President should have done it himself. Well, I called and of course she started to cry. Well anyhow, the sisters from Penza were suppose to come in at 5 but didn't get there until 6. Well, of course we had to go there and wait. Well Sister Петунц talked with President and she is still going to be here. Well we helped the sister off and we hope that everything will be all right. Sister Петунц was happy after that and she told me about all that is happening. Well, we walked around and did some contacting that went pretty well and then we went back to the office to take some things. Anyhow, we have some really crazy days. Today was definitely a day for sisters. That is about all that we did was help them and work to get them to their new areas. Well lets just say that sister are a headache but Sister Ehlert tells us that it is good wife training so I don't look forward to getting married - lol - I guess we'll see.

Leaving

28 July 2005
"It is sure an interesting day. Tonight we have an interesting experience that is going. We are letting an Elder Krivov stay with us and he is leaving tomorrow to go to Moscow and all. Well he got set apart tonight and should be sleeping here. Well he decided to take off with his friends - we tried to talk him out of it, but it didn't work. We should have called President but we didn't. Well, now I am sick to the stomach. I guess that is part of life. Its our fault and we should not have let him go. It's too late now though. Well anyhow - enough about that.

Today we had a Конференция Зоны and that went well. We had a lot of good council that we got from President about how to strengthen our branch. Well, had the opportunity to share an experience about how the Atonement has helped in the work. That went well. I also ate way too much pizza and other stuff there. Well, I didn't feel great but oh well - no wonder I am getting fat! Well also we talked about how in the Ensign President Hinckley promises those how will read the entire BofM from Aug 1 until the end of the year will receive great blessings. Well, we are going to institute this in our mission. We are going to start Aug 1 and we are expecting great blessings.

After conference, we went to office and we picked up Брат Блинков. He took us to some members house and we had an interesting discussion with them. The lady told us that she goes to the Провославная Церковь and doesn't really have much desire to come back to church. Well, we talked about the promise above, but she wasn't too interested in it. Well we then went to see Эдуард and Алфия and they are doing well. Блинков talked a lot and it was very long. We sat a lot, and basically Блинков just tried to convince them of the truth. Well, it didn't work out too well, but I have more faith in them now that something will work out and that we will have success. It is awesome to work with people and to help them. I love this work. Well, we then went and got Elder Krivov and came home. I hope that all will be alright."

Heat

16 July 2005
"We spent a day with he Lunts hearing about all the things that they wish they had. Well, it wasn't so bad, but at the same time, it was a long day. This morning we wrote home and we enjoyed that. I sent home a bunch of pictures that I scanned in also. That went well, and I am glad that I finished that. Well, I did a few other things that I needed before we went off with the Lunts. We met the Ehlerts on one of the stops here and headed to Park House. We looked around there for awhile and that was cool. They had all kinds of stuff. One of the coolest places that we looked in was a sports store there on the second floor. They had a lot of cheap stuff, and a lot of cool stuff. I enjoyed looking there, but it made me want to buy something. Well, we bought some products there that we needed for the week. We rode home and then we decided to go to the office to make some lunch. We had bread pizza with the assistants and it was really good. We got some really tasty meat, and it turned out awesome. Well, we then went to work. We had no success, but we walked around a ton and we just died from the heat. We never walk anymore. Well, we went to a few addresses but basically nothing happened. We came home and now we are getting ready to bed. Wow - what a long day. I really want to die from the heat and walking. I guess it's about time after so many nice rainy days."